Works on New Naval Base Near Spratly Progresses Faster than Expected

 

The Philippine Navy (PN) has released images of the first major access road to a pier being built in Oyster Inlet on the South China Sea side of Palawan Island.

 

Oyster Inlet, which is in Ulugan Bay and 18 km from Naval Station Carlito Cunanan, has been the site of a small pier and fresh water station since the 1950s. It is being expanded into a major naval anchorage along with three other nearby coves.

 

The expansion of Oyster Inlet was announced during a 2013 visit to the Ulugan Bay area by President Benigno Aquino. A PN statement released on 29 May described the building of the road network as a part of a three-year development that will make Oyster Inlet a major naval anchorage for the PN and “visiting allies”.

 

Though Philippine armed forces chief General Gregorio Catapang, Jr. recently indicated that the base was a “top priority,” he also admitted that construction had been delayed by funding bottlenecks, recent faster development speaks otherwise as the progress is seen promising.

 

Once completed, Philippine officials had previously indicated that the base would be able to hold a few large naval vessels, including a few U.S. ones as well. Military officials have also stressed that possessing a base so close to the South China Sea would enable the armed forces of the Philippines to drastically shorten the travel time of its vessels and minimize fuel and other logistical costs, as well as boost the morale of troops stationed nearby.

 

The officer who refused to identify himself also added that the new Naval Base which is closer to the disputed islands will host some of the bigger US navy Vessels, as well as Japan Navy when the VFA between Japan and the Philippines is materialized.

 

Most of the new Philippines Navy Vessels like that from Japan, Indonesia, and Australia will be based on the new facility, the navy added.

 

There is no exact target time for the completion of the base but the officer is optimistic that the facility will soon host some US Navy fleet once major access road and ports are done within the following year.

 

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